blended arts steam and design thinking education for early childhood

3DuxDesign Basic Design Challenges

These open-ended challenges are perfect for informal play-based learning in the library media center, maker space, classroom, home and basically anywhere there are kids! Find a variety of 20-60 minute projects, from self-guided printable worksheets to video tutorials for ages 4+..

Enjoy these FREE design challenges with your class. Receive a free ALL-ACCESS pass with any 3DuxDesign order.

These projects can be done individually or as modules within the Global Futures Design Lab a cross-curricular team-based project and showcase that will inspire the next generation of change-makers.

New to 3Dux?
Try these Warmups
Video Guided
Basic Challenges
Let's Solve
Real-World Challenges
Holiday, Seasonal
and More Fun Projects

Kooky Character Warmup

Use 3Dux, learn basic shapes, and hone drafting skills in a fun team building activity .

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Kooky Casa Warmup

All ages groups

Introduction to angles, 3D modeling with

3Dux, and invention/innovation mindset.

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Community Cube Warmup

Build complete 3D models, learn about community, intro to perspective and scale

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Watch this quick tutorial on how to get started with basic warmup activities to set your class up for success with 3DuxDesign!

Step 1: Watch the video

Step 2: Create and experiment

Step 3: Share to win prizes!

Leaping Lizards and Lots of Levers

Learn how to build your own simple machine using levers.

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Puppies and Pulleys

Learn how to build your own simple machine by creating a pulley system.

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Ramps and Inclines

Build a machine to learn about inclines; what factors affect the speed of objects?

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Polar Bears Love Linkages

Learn about linkages by designing a polar bear lift gate for the zoo.

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Wheels, Axles and Dizzy Animals

Learn about the wheel and axle with Wheels, axles and lot's of Dizzy Animals.

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The Turkey Trot

Help Geo the Turkey escape becoming the main course at the Thanksgiving Day Feast!

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Shadow Play on Groundhog Day

Experiment with light and shadows with your furry friend the groundhog to celebrate his special day.

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Light up Santa's Workshop

In this lesson, your engineers will review build a cardboard house and light it up.

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Learning Angles with the Kooky Casa Game

A fun refresher on basic geometry and angles, and if in a group program, it is a perfect "getting to know you" activity.

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Boxitects Challenge

This challenge joins forces with NY Times bestselling author, Kim Smith.

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The Empathy Game

Refine fine motor skills by creating a game to learn about empathy.

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Life Cycle Craft

Learn about the butterfly's 4-stage and the frog's 3-stage life cycle.

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The Reindeer Training Camp

Design a weeklong boot camp for reindeer to help them get in shape for a long night delivering toys to kids around the world.

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Building Bridges

Design and test out a variety of bridge designs to help keep animals and humans safe on a busy highway in Paper Town, USA.

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Fun With Friction

Learn about the forces of gravity and friction with this project. A fun day of play and Sledding at the 3DuxDesign Winter Park!

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Allie's Basketball Dream

Literacy meets STEM with this fun-filled book study and lever/linkages project for grades 2-4. Writing and data extensions too!

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Monster Making Machine

Learn the basics of computer science with a fun-filled team building project with life science, ELA and tech extensions.

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Designing Peace *new

In honor of the United Nations Sustainable Goal #16, design a community space that promotes peace and justice.

hands on community building project

Global Goals Coding Game

Build computational thinking skills and global awareness with a riveting no-tech, game-based challenge.

pollinator pathway lesson for elementary school

Arcade Day Challenge

Learn about the 9 year old whose cardboard arcade inspired the nation. Then build your own arcade right in your classroom!

hands on community building project

Mars Space Station

Become an aerospace engineer and design a space station to withstand a windstorm!

hands on community building project

The Hiker's Hut

Design and build the perfect shelter to protect both hikers and the environment.

hands on community building project

Building Circuits with LEDs

Light up a house for Lil' Pup!

boy learning circuits

Photography Tips

Learn how to take great photos of your project with a phone, by Lisa Casella.

photography for kids with iPhone

Drafting For Engineers

Learn about drawing and shading in 3D with engineer and children's author Holly Martin.

engineer drafting and drawing activity for kids

The Architect's Playspace

Consider the pros and cons of the modern playground. Using what you know about having fun, reimagine outdoor play!

design a playground with cardboard

National Parks Expeditions

Join 3Dux and Dr. Drizzle as we visit national parks, meet rangers, and solve global challenges.

building model community with cardboard

Make an Eclipse and Space Station

Learn about solar and lunar eclipses as you build your own galaxy and space station. Then create your own space story.

design a playground with cardboard

STEM projects, 3Dux hacks and more on TikTok

Find quick and easy projects and tutorials using cardboard and crafts

design thinking with a project based learning curriulum

Fall Harvest + Agriculture Ed

Help design a sustainable farm. Engineer machines for productivity, build a turkey refuge, design an animal feeder and more!

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Light up Santa's Workshop

In this lesson, your engineers will learn basic circuitry as they build a cardboard house and light it up.

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The Reindeer Training Camp

Design a weeklong boot camp for reindeer to help them get in shape for a long night delivering toys to kids around the world.

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Spooky Halloween STEAM Projects

Three spooky halloween STEAM projects and machines for your young makers.

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Thanksgiving Day Fun

Help Geo the Turkey escape becoming the main course at the Thanksgiving Day Feast!

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Pumpkin Pinball

Make a game and feed hungry monsters while learning about forces and slopes.

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Shadow Play on Groundhog Day

Experiment with light and shadows with your furry friend the groundhog to celebrate his special day.

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Penguin and Polar Bear Ski School

Design and build a sustainable ski school. Build simple machines, LED-lit night skiing and build a snow-monster-bot!

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Dancing Dragons enjoy Lunar New Year

Use fixed and moving pivots to make your dragon dance. Add green screen technology to bring your dragon to the party

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Earth Day Challenge

Join the Garden Guardian Challenge. Design a machine to help our pollinator pals.

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Seed Bombs from Cardboard

Give your cardboard back to Mother Earth and support your local ecosystem!

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Cardboard Carnival

The ultimate STEM festival for all ages (even adults love this one!).

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Monster Making Machine

Learn the basics of computer science with a fun-filled team building project with life science, ELA and tech extensions.

* access pass required

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Stages, Styles and Swift Moves

Stage design, LED lighting, and a guest visit from Taylor's favorite furry friend in this Pop Star STEM spectacular

* access pass required

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Allie's Basketball Dream

Literacy meets STEM with this fun-filled book study and lever/linkages project for grades 2-4. Writing and data extensions too!

* access pass required

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Cardboard Hacks

Enjoy a variety of simple cardboard hacks to help make modeling easier.

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Pinhole Cameras

Explore ciruits and the science behind light waves with a DIY camera and experiment.

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Blink and Block Build a Fort

K-3 students blend literacy and STEM as they read and discuss the book by Vicky Fang and team up to build and fort.

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